Mo. Lawmakers Form Interim Committees To Work On Issues For 2014

Lawmakers in Missouri will continue working on several issues this summer and fall in preparation for next year's legislative session.

A number of interim committees have been formed to explore ideas for bills in 2014. So far, they'll examine potential reforms to Medicaid, update the state's election laws, and look for ways to combat chronic wasting disease. Conservation officials say the disease has been found in a few white tail deer in north-central Missouri, and they hope to keep it from spreading to the state's re-established elk herds in southern Missouri.

Meanwhile, the House Interim Committee on Election Procedures will explore eliminating duplicate laws and updating voting machines. It's being chaired by State Representative Sue Entlicher (R, Bolivar), who formerly served as Clerk of Polk County.

"We're looking for anything to keep the statutes up to date and not repeat anything," Entlicher said. "Also we're going to comprise, hopefully, a plan to take care of any of the voting machines that need to be updated or need to be replaced."